Calvin Robinson Loses Church Position After Backlash
Right-wing British priest Calvin Robinson has been stripped of his church license following a backlash over a controversial gesture he made at a pro-Trump event in Washington, D.C. The Anglican Catholic Church (ACC) confirmed that Robinson “is no longer serving as a priest” after his appearance at the National Pro-Life Summit last Friday.
Gesture Sparks Comparisons to Elon Musk’s Salute
Robinson’s salute drew widespread criticism as it appeared to mimic a stiff-armed gesture made by Elon Musk days earlier at Donald Trump’s inaugural parade. Musk’s action had already sparked controversy, with critics likening it to a Roman salute historically associated with fascist movements. Robinson, however, insisted he was not making a Nazi salute but instead “mocking hysterical liberals” who accused Musk of extremism.
Robinson Defends Actions, Church Distances Itself
In an X post, Robinson denied any Nazi affiliations, stating, “I am not a Nazi.” He claimed he was unfairly targeted and revealed he had received hundreds of hostile messages following the incident. Despite his defense, the ACC distanced itself from him, suggesting his action may have been an attempt to gain favor with right-wing U.S. political circles. “While we cannot say what was in Mr. Robinson’s heart when he did this, his action appears to have been an attempt to curry favor,” a church spokesperson said.
Musk and Robinson Face Political Backlash
The controversy follows Musk’s scrutiny for making a similar gesture while praising Trump’s impact on space exploration. Prominent Democrats, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, condemned Musk’s actions, deepening the debate over the meaning of the salute. Robinson, who also serves as the Lead Spokesman for UKIP, dismissed criticism, saying, “People see what they want to see.”
Robinson’s History of Controversy
Robinson is no stranger to public disputes. He was dismissed from GB News in October 2023 after defending presenter Dan Wootton amid a scandal involving misogynistic comments by Laurence Fox. While hosting “Calvin’s Common Sense Crusade,” he also promoted conspiracy theories about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the FTX crypto platform.
Both Robinson and the Anglican Catholic Church have been approached for further comment.
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Controversial priest Calvin Robinson stripped of church licence after mimicking Elon Musk salute at pro-Trump event
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